Background:
Phytonutrients in peach fruits have health promoting antioxidants against various chronic diseases.
However, there is no extensive data to show the nutritional values of Local peach cultivars after post-harvest treatments.
Objective:
Mainly this study was objective to determine the effect of calcium carbide on nutritional value and quality of
fruits of Pakistani peach cultivars.
Methods:
The peach fruits were collected from three different peach orchids of KPK and the fruits were divided into 4
groups while 5th group was collected from local fruit shop. Each experimental group was treated with different concentration
of calcium carbide whereas control group was not treated. The peel and pulp samples were oven dried and ground to fine
powder separately. The elemental compositions were determined using Particle Induced X-ray emission and Pelletron
Tandem Accelerator.
Result:
Sixteen elements were identified in peach fruits and the elements were Al, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu,
Zn, As, and Se. In peel, concentration of some elements increased or decreased after treatment with CaC2 while in pulp the
conc. of nearly all detected elements was increased in treated samples. We found significantly high amount of heavy metals
traces including As, Se, Co, Si, and P in peach fruits treated with CaC2. Interestingly, the presence of trichomes in peach skin
prevents the transfer of these heavy metals deep into the pulp which was also verified by the elemental profiling of
nectarines.
Conclusion:
Conclusively, the artificial ripening with CaC2 changed the nutritional value of peach fruits that has higher
health risks if consume with the peel. According to our best knowledge, this is the first report that highlights the effects of
CaC2 which deteriorate the nutritional value of peach fruits in Pakistan.
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